Wire-stretcher.



A. J. GIBBENS. WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1909.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

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ANDREW If. GIBBENS, OF MOUNTAIN HOME, TEXA S.

WIRE-STRETOHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. Guam-ms, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Mountain Home, in the county of Kerr and State ofTexas, have invented new and useful Improvements in \Viretretchers, of which the following is a specification. This invention is an improved stretcher especially adapted for use in stretching fence Wires and wire fence fabric while tastening the same to the fence posts and the object of this invention is to provide an im provementof this character which is extremely cheap and sim lc, is very strong and durable, is very e cient in' stretching the wire, is not liable to slip on or release the wire when in use, and is not likely to get out of order.

In the accompanying drawings:-I igure 1 is an elevation of a stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention showing the same applied to one end of a fence fabric as in the act of stretching the same. Fig. 2 is a plan of the improved wire stretcher partly in section, showing the same applied.

As shown in the drawings, a pair of parallel bars 1 of oblong contour and cross section have portions of their opposed inner faces rounded as shown at 5 to bear on opposite sides of the wire or wire fabric a to a be stretched. The said bars are provided on their outer and rear sides with right angular bearing strips 2 which are made of iron'or steel and are secured in place on the said bars. At suitable distances from the upper and lower ends of the bars are stop studs 3 which project from the outer and rear sides of the bars. In connection with the bars clamping devices are provided, each of which clamping devices comprises a pair of links 4 and a pair of clamping jaws 5. The clamping jaws 5 are arcuate in contour and have their convex surfaces bearing on the outer sides of the bars 1, the medial portions of said convex surfaces extending beyond points in alincment with the inner ends of the rounded portions 5. The said jaws are provided each at its rear end with an inwardly extending arm 6, the said arms being Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 10, 1909.

Patented Apr. 18, 191-1..

Serial No. 512,244.

placed between the links 4 and connected thereto by pivots T. The said links are adapted to bear on the rear sides of the bars 1 and against the rcarwardly extending stops while the clamping jaws bear against thestops which projectfrom the outer sides of the-said bars, the said stops serving to prevent the clamping devices from slipping on the said bars. A tension device such as a chain 7) to which power is applied for stretching the wire or fence fabric is eonnected as by short pieces 0 ,to the free ends of the clamping jaws 5. One of the said short lengths or pieces 0 is permanently connected to one clamping jaw of each bar'and the other short length or piece is detachably linked to the other jaw as by' means of a notch 8 with which said jaw is provided.

It will be understood from the foregoing description and by reference to the drawings that when tension is applied to the tension chain to stretch the wires .or fence fabric, the said tension chain, by reason of its connection with the clamping jaws works the said i jaws on their convex surfaces and draws the free ends of the clamping. jaws toward one another so that the clamping jaws serve to bind the bars 1 and to press them toward each other and against opposite sides of the wires or fence fabric so that thegrcatcr the tension applied to the tension chain and the fence fabric the more strongly will the bars be clamped on opposite sides of the fence,

fabric and hence the device is prevented from slipping the gen.

What is claimed is':---

A wire stretcher comprising a pair of par allel clamp bars having the corresponding side portions of their opposed surfaces rounded, metallic strips arranged on the outer faces of said bars, a pair of stops cxtending outwardly from the opposite end portions of each strip, a pair of links extending partially across one side of said bars and located in'advance of said rounded portions, :1 pair of double jaw members, each pair including straight side portions pivoted to the opposite ends of one of said links, arcuate-shaped side' portions arranged at an angle to the straight side portions and having their convex surfaces bearing on said strips and their similar faces bearing on said stops, and flexible elements connected together at one end and having their opposite ends connected each to a pair of said jaw members.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. ANDREW JQGIBBENS.

Witnesses J. W. STONE, 

